The Merritt Centennials entered the Christmas break on a three game win streak, solidly holding on to fifth spot in the BCHL Interior Conference standings.

They returned to action Thursday Dec. 30 on the road in Trail to face the conference rival Smoke Eaters who trailed the Cents by a mere two points.

The Cents spotted the home team an early two goal lead, but Andrew Pickering scored on the power play at 18:56 of the first period, to bring the Cents within one. Trail opened second period scoring to reclaim a two goal lead when Cents forward Derek Hills took over. He scored at 18:04 of the second to stay within one, then set up Dustin Johnson's game tying goal in the third, and Silvan Harper for the game winning goal in overtime. Hills tallied three points in the win but was a game-star snub. Cents goalie Keith Hamilton earned first star turning aside 39 of 43 shots.

Hamilton turned aside 22 of 23 at home against Williams Lake on New Years Day, as the Cents went three for nine on the power play and swept the game stars nominations en route to a 6 – 1 win, extending the win streak to five games.

Cents defenseman Steve Tresierra opened the scoring on the power play January 3 in Westside, but the Warriors scored four unanswered goals to break the Cents' streak and win the game 5 – 2.

Goaltender Blake Voth stopped three breakaways in the third period alone to lead the top ranked team in the nation Vernon Vipers to a 5-0 win over the Cents on home ice Tuesday night.

Despite consecutive losses the Cents remain in fifth spot. Sixth place Quesnel have two games in hand and have added 19-year-old forward Justin Hogan (8G-21A-29PT.-36GP) from Williams Lake. While Trail, who hold the seventh and final playoff spot, defeated second place Penticton at home Tuesday night in overtime. Prince George, behind Trail in eighth place, lost on the road to Powell River. They've recently added 19-year-old goalie Andrew Walsh from Langley. The BCHL trade deadline is Sunday Jan. 10.